Assessments
Autism & ADHD Assessments for Children and Young People
Seeking an assessment for your child can feel overwhelming. You may have questions, concerns, or a sense that something isn’t quite right - but feel unsure about what to do next.
At Calming Minds Clinic, we provide specialist assessments for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and ADHD in children and young people aged 5–17, delivered with clinical expertise, compassion, and a focus on truly understanding your child.
Our private (independent) assessments follow recognised clinical guidelines and offer an additional pathway for families who are exploring different ways to understand their child’s needs.
Starting with an initial consultation
We begin with an initial consultation to gain a clear understanding of your concerns, your child’s history, and whether a full assessment is appropriate.
This stage is important in ensuring that:
The right pathway is followed from the outset
Any assessment is clinically indicated
Your child’s needs are considered carefully and thoughtfully
For some families, this consultation provides reassurance and clarity. For others, it forms the first step in a more comprehensive assessment process.
A robust and evidenced-based approach
Our assessments are designed to be thorough, reliable, and clinically meaningful.
We follow a consultant-led, multidisciplinary (MDT) model, bringing together different professional perspectives to ensure that each child is understood as fully as possible.
This approach:
Supports accurate and well-informed clinical decision-making
Reflects best practice guidance
Ensures that recommendations are meaningful and practical
We take the time to look beyond surface-level behaviours to understand your child’s strengths, needs, and individual profile.
Autism (ASD) Assessments
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) affects how a person communicates, interacts with others, and experiences the world around them.
Children and young people may show differences in:
Social communication and interaction
Understanding relationships and social cues
Sensory processing
Preferences for routine or predictability
Our assessments explore these areas in a thoughtful and structured way, using recognised tools alongside clinical expertise to ensure a clear and accurate understanding.
Attention Deficit & Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Assessments
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) affects attention, activity levels, and impulse control.
Children and young people may experience:
Difficulties with focus and attention
Restlessness or high levels of activity
Impulsivity
Challenges with organisation or emotional regulation
Our assessments consider how these differences present across environments, ensuring a well-rounded and meaningful understanding.
Combined Assessments & Presentations
For some children, there may be overlap between ASD and ADHD. We offer combined assessments where appropriate, allowing both areas to be explored together in a cohesive and efficient way.
Autism and ADHD do not present in the same way for every child.
Some children may show more externalised presentations, where behaviours are more visible — such as high levels of activity, impulsivity, or emotional outbursts.
Others may show more internalised presentations, where difficulties are less obvious. These children may appear to cope well but experience significant internal challenges, such as anxiety, overwhelm, or fatigue.
Because of this variation, some children’s needs may not be immediately recognised.
A careful, multidisciplinary assessment helps to ensure that both visible and less visible presentations are fully understood.
Outcomes & Next Steps
Our aim is not simply to reach a diagnosis, but to provide clarity.
You will receive a comprehensive report and clear guidance to help you understand your child and feel confident in the next steps.
Alongside assessment work, we also offer therapeutic support and private health visiting packages, providing families with ongoing, practical support where needed.
If you would like to explore whether an assessment is right for your child, we recommend starting with an initial consultation.